Practice Exam | ICC Property Maintenance/ Housing Inspector

Administration and Legal

22%

Notices and Orders

Determine if a building is unsafe, substandard, or fails to comply with applicable housing codes. Communicate the order with the owner or occupants, notify other agencies as required, and initiate re-inspection and follow-up procedures. Advise affected persons of their right to due process.

8%

Repair, Vacation, and Demolition

Prepare and issue violation notices related to mandatory repair, vacation, or demolition. Communicate the order with the owner or occupants, notify other agencies as required, and initiate re-inspection and follow-up procedures. Advise affected persons of their right to due process. Communicate with contractors and subcontractors as necessary.

4%

Public Information

Provide housing code compliance information to the general public, to landlord and tenant organizations, and to governmental agencies. Provide housing code compliance information pertinent to historic preservation efforts.

2%

Enforcement Process

Gather, maintain and present evidence as necessary to enforce house and property
maintenance code provisions, with due consideration for procedural and substantive
due process of law. Provide board of appeals testimony and serve as expert witness In prosecution of violations. Ensure that right of entry to private property meets constitutional standards.

8%

Light, Ventilation, and Occupancy

14%

Light and Ventilation

Inspect for compliance with minimum light and ventilation requirements for habitable areas, common hallways, and stairways.

4%

Occupancy

Inspect for compliance with minimum occupancy conditions and use. Inspect for any alterations or additions that may indicate a change of occupancy. Inspect that access to bedrooms and bathrooms is in accordance with the code. Ensure that the area of living and sleeping areas, and that the kitchen area is sufficient for the number of occupants. Ensure that attics, basements and garages are not occupied where prohibited.

10%

Fire and Life Safety

14%

Means of Egress

Inspect the number and maintenance of required exits for safe and adequate egress. Inspect the compliance of bedroom windows which are intended as emergency exits. Verify that security bars over emergency windows are open able as required by code.

4%

Stairs

Inspect that stairs have required tread width, rise, landing and headroom dimensions. Verify that stairs, handrails and guardrails are in sound condition and repair. Verify that handrails and guardrails are provided where required and comply with code. Verify compliance of stairway illumination and egress signs.

3%

Fire Safety

Inspect for the installation and proper maintenance of required smoke detectors.
Inspect fire alarms, fire sprinklers and standpipes for maintenance and access.
Inspect general visual condition of fire safety systems, informing the proper authority of any painted or damaged sprinkler heads or other components. Verify that portable fire extinguishers are provided and maintained.

4%

Exit Doors

Inspect condition of fire separation walls, ceilings and floors. Verify that all egress doors are operable from the inside without the use of keys. Verify that exit hardware is installed where required, is maintained and unobstructed. Verify that door closers operate properly.

3%

Mechanical

6%

Heating Systems

Verify that habitable occupancies have operational heating systems which are maintained in safe operating condition, and are capable of maintaining minimum room temperatures. Verify that minimum clearances to combustible materials are maintained around furnaces, boilers and fireplaces. Verify that chimneys, appliance vents, combustion air vents, and draft regulators are undamaged and free of debris. Inspect for the proper operation of automatic shutoffs of heating equipment.

6%

Plumbing

10%

Water Supply

Inspect water supply to dwelling units for obvious signs of contamination. Verify that water supply outlets have necessary backflow or cross-flow protection. Verify that fixtures are operable and have an adequate flow of water.

2%

DWV

Inspect exposed area of the drain, waste and vent system for damage or unsanitary conditions. Verify that sanitary drainage system is properly connected to a public system or an approved private sewage disposal system. Inspect for evidence of fouling, clogging, or other maintenance problems. Verify that cleanouts are maintained and accessible. Inspect sump systems (drain tiling) to determine code compliance.

2%

Bathrooms

Verify that dwelling units contain at least one bathroom with a water closet, lavatory, and either a bathtub or shower. Verify that all plumbing fixtures are properly installed and maintained in working order and are free from obstructions and leaks. Verify that bathrooms which are available to the public comply with additional requirements.

2%

Kitchens

Verify that dwelling units contain a kitchen with a sink, have an approved water supply with both hot and cold running water, and have an approved sanitary drain.

2%

Water Heaters

Verify that water heaters in dwelling units are installed in compliance with code requirements, including required clearances. Verify that water heaters have an operable temperature and pressure relief valve and discharge piping to a safe location. Verify that gas water heaters have unobstructed combustion air and undamaged venting, and are installed at the proper height above garage floors.

2%

Electrical

8%

Hazardous Conditions

Inspect the electrical system for sign of physical damage or improper installation or tampering, and for protection of all energized conductors. Verify that mandatory electrical equipment is installed where required, including overcurrent protection and ground-fault circuit protection. Verify that lighting fixtures have adequate clearance from combustibles. Verify that flexible cords and cables are used in an approved manner, and are protected against damage. Verify that electrical service panels are protected and unobstructed. Verify that grounding receptacle outlets installed in older occupancies contain grounding protection as required by code. Verify that the minimum number of electrical outlets are provided.

8%

Property Conditions

26%

Site Sanitation

Inspect property for compliance with site sanitation ordinances, including installation and maintenance of required site drainage, flooding or nuisance septic tank fields, improper drainage of sanitary sewers, and weed control. Inspect for placement and containment of rubbish and garbage, to determine if code violation exists. Verify that storm drainage does not create a nuisance on adjacent property.

4%

Site Safety

Inspect property for compliance with site safety ordinances. Verify minimum clearances from outside electrical and service entrance wires. Verify that swimming pools are fenced and that self-closing gates are operable. Verify that walkways, exterior steps and driveways are maintained in a safe manner. Check for abandoned water wells and any other hazards which might pose a danger.

4%

Exterior Conditions

Inspect the exterior of dwelling structures for unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Inspect for general maintenance and dilapidation of the exterior surfaces. Verify that exterior decks, porches and balconies are maintained in a safe condition, and contain handrails and guards which are firmly fastened to support normal loads. Inspect integrity of roof coverings and flashings. Verify that basement hatchways are maintained to prevent the entrance of rodents, rain and surface drainage water.

6%

Interior Conditions

Inspect the interior of dwelling structures for unsafe or unsanitary conditions and for compliance with general health and safety ordinances. Inspect that interior surfaces are properly maintained. Inspect for evidence of insect and rodent infestation. Visually check that interior structural elements are unaltered and maintained in a safe condition.

6%

Nuisance Abatement

Inspect property and accessory structures for compliance with nuisance abatement ordinances, including dilapidated or unsecured and vacant buildings. Check for rodent harborage. Check for hazardous storage and the presence of nuisances. Determine if the number and condition of parked, kept or stored vehicles on the premises comply with local ordinances.

6%